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SSC CGL 2025 PYQ — Question 3

SSC CGL - 15 Sep 2025 - Shift 3 • English • Q3

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A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech.

He said that he wished to speak with the manager.

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Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. “I wish to speak with the manager,” he said.

Sentence Analysis:

  • Type of sentence: Assertive (Statement)

  • Reported speech (Indirect): He said that he wished to speak with the manager.

  • Reporting Verb: "Said" (Past tense)

  • Tense in Indirect Speech: Simple Past ("wished")

Conversion Rules (Indirect to Direct):

  1. Reporting Verb: Since the reporting verb "said" is in the past tense, the tense inside the quotation marks must be moved one step "forward" into the present.

  2. Tense Change: The Simple Past ("wished") in indirect speech reverts to the Simple Present ("wish") in direct speech.

  3. Pronoun Change: The third-person pronoun "he" (the subject of the reported clause) changes back to the first-person "I" to reflect the speaker's original words.

  4. Conjunction: The conjunction "that" is removed and replaced with commas and quotation marks.

Structure Comparison:

  • Indirect Speech: Subject + said + that + he + wished...

  • Direct Speech: "I + wish..." + said + subject.

Converted sentence: “I wish to speak with the manager,” he said.

Hence, the chosen option is correct.